AUBURN — Chairman Keith Davis of the Auburn Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. has announced the annual VFW Patriots Pen competition. Parents of sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students in the Auburn area should talk to their child about the chance to win a $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond and a trip to Washington, D.C.

Students compete by writing a 300- to 400-word essay, based on this year’s patriotic theme, “Are You Proud of Your Country?”

The Post winner will win $100 and advance to the District #9 competition to compete against winners from Lewiston, Lisbon, Monmouth, Jay, South Paris and Rumford VFWs. District prizes are $75, $50 and $25. The District winner would advance to the state competition and compete against the other 11 Districts in Maine.

Maine VFW awards U.S. Savings Bonds of $500, $300 and $200, as well as $1,500, $800 and $500 scholarships. Eevery entrant in the state VFW competition will be awarded at least a $100 U.S. Savings Bond.The State VFW winner will enjoy a four-day tour of Washington, D.C. along with the winners from every state, the Pacific Areas, Latin America/Caribbean and Europe. Any of these winners can win prizes from $1,000 to $10,000.

Interested parents or students should contact chairman Keith Davis at 329-8784 or the VFW Post #1603 at 783-2561 Monday through Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. Leave name, address and telephone number to have a brochure, an application and last year’s winning essay mailed to you. Applications will also be at the Auburn Middle School.

All essays and applications must be in the chairman’s hands by Nov. 1.